Moccasins with hard sole and fully beaded royal blue field with white borders. Geometric designs around perimeter. Vamp features buffalo print in blue beads, and a zoomorphic design in the center. Split “V” cuff. All beadwork done with lazy stitch.

The design on the vamp is typical of the Cheyenne style. The red beads used are also known as white heart beads, which indicates that these moccasins are from the late 19th century during the reservation period.

Tags: leather ties, hard sole, geometric designs, light blue beads, white beads, red beads
People: possibly Cheyenne or Arapaho
Places: Oklahoma
Purpose: possibly domestic use or ceremonial events, reservation period

From interviews with Dr. Garrick Bailey, 2018-2020 University of Tulsa, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology